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Max 34.2 Min 26.4 All hands busy at general duties cutting wood etc. The afternoon Crawford and Galle brought home another ham from the bear Killed a few days ago. Several foxes seen today. We are still waiting for a chance to haul logs for our winter quarters. Not enough snow and too much surf. Blowing a strong breeze from the N.W. Cold.
Max 34 Min 24.5 All hands went this morning with the dory to haul logs for the house. When about half loaded the surf became so bad that we were forced to beat a hasty retreat, greatly to our dissapointment. However enough logs were procured to erect the two end uprights and the ridgepole and part of the roof. Shall make another try tomorrow. We erected a 340 foot flag pole and hoisted the Union Jack. I have always understood that this Island was hard to reach by ship, but from all indications it is no harder to reach that than any southern port. For nice clear sailing in Northern waters, this cannot be excelled. There seems to be some friction between Maurer + Galle but I will do my best to ease matters between them for a small party like this
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should run smoothly. The dogs are picking up and should be in shape soon. One walrus and numerous ducks seen. When in the day, I wounded one duck with the shotgun but he got away Light westerly breeze. Clear + getting colder
Max 32.5 Min 18.0 All hands busy all day west of the camp cutting and splitting logs for the sides and roof of the house. It is surely a great sight to see all the fine dry wood after being on the islands north of Canada when drift wood in scarce. Our seamstress is busy making clothing and we had a great many clothing skims so our clothing outfit should be comfortable. A large number of ducks and gulls seen. Cold Clear, and blowing a fresh breeze from the North
Max 30 Min 17.5 A howling wind from the East accompinied by a heavy fall of wet snow kept us close to the tent today. Nothing done but necessary chores.
Max 26.8 Min 19.3 Spent most of the day working on the house. A small amount of ice hove in sight
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this morning from the S. WE. and several cakes have grounded along the beach near here. Mostly old ice and considerably water worn. A heavy surf from the S. E. Cold clear and a fresh breeze from the East.
Max 31 Min 19.5 For future reference perhaps, I am going to make a statement of what happened today. About 2 P. M. Ada Blackjack, our seamstress, went out of the tent as we were all sitting about. About an hour later Crawford became anxious as to her where abouts as she had not returned. Near the tent on a box were found her "Eversharp" journal and a finger ring. Sticking in a crack in the box was a note written by her to Crawford telling him to take these two articles. Seeing that she had left camp Crawford and I immediately followed her tracks to ward the hills inland. After an hour of very fast walking we came as to her and she immediately started to scream and act like an insane person. Out of her clothes dropped a bottle which was half full of linement. She had been drinking it and was quite sick at her stomach. After some persuasion we got her started home and she told us the same thing that she had wrt written a few days before and handed to Crawford viz, that "we intended to kill her." Also, that when she had seen us following her she had drank
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The linament for she "was afraid of me (Knight) and had seen me sharpening my Knife in the morning; and several more things too long to relate here. The fact is, we have treated her as well as any one could be treated and my honest belief is that her mind is not fully developed for she acts, so it seems to me, like a child of 8 or 10 years of age. We will watch her and take good care of her. Not knowing what she may do in the future I am setting down these facts as is Crawford, and he is keeping the notes to show to Mr. Stefansson. She seems t be Grounding but we cannot find out the reason. A very heavy surf. General duties.
Max 32.5 Min 11.5 This morning Crawford + Galle started to pack home some bear meat but when close to the camp carcass they saw a bear. Crawford sent Galle to camp for Maurer and I but when we got to the place where the bear had been we saw Crawford in the distance comming our way. He told us that before we arrived that the bear had seen him and had started west ward. Crawford followed and got a long distance shot at him but the bear travelled faster and got away. Our seamstress kept Crawford awake all last night asking for protection, saying that she was afraid of the "other men." Every time she sees one of us sharpening his Knife she asks "if the
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Knife is to be used to "Kill her with". We are more of the opinion than ever that she is slightly touched. Too bad we did not know it in Nome. She surely would not be here. General duties. Dogs getting in good condition. Clear and cold. Sight Easterly breeze. Surf going down
Max 35.2 Min 21.5 Rather a good day for us. This morning shortly after breakfast I went outside and saw a bear crossing the river bed about half a mile above camp. Maurer and I set out with our guns but the dogs had been rest less all morning and were very noisy. The bear evidently heard the dogs for she started inland for the mountains. We chased her for about 3 miles and then with the glasses we could see her about 3 miles ahead of us rapidly going N.W. We learned with the glasses that she had two cubs with her. We gave up the chase and returned to camp. This evening after supper the Native woman went out side and rushed in to tell us that she saw a bear coming along the beach from the westward. Maurer ran and hid behind the dory and waited. The dogs did not see the bear and apparently the bear did not know about the camp. When about 150 feet from Maurer he let drive, hitting the bear behind the shoulder and thru the intestines Maurer shot again and missed & I ran down the beachand shot once Knocking him down. I still